The 21st Commonwealth Parliamentary Conference took place in New Delhi from October 28 to November 4, 1975. The Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) serves as a unifying force among parliamentarians across the Commonwealth, promoting cooperation, understanding, and respect for parliamentary institutions. Established in 1911 as the Empire Parliamentary Association, it evolved into the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association […]
Vengalil Krishnan Krishna Menon, born on May 3, 1896, in Panniyankara, Calicut, Kerala, was the third son of Komath Krishna Kurup, a successful lawyer. Raised in a modestly well-to-do family, Menon received his early education in Tellicherry and later obtained his B.A. degree from the Madras Presidency College. During his college years, Menon became actively […]
Ameer Khusrau, also known as Abul Hasan Yameenuddin Khusrau, was born in Patiali, in the district of Etah, Uttar Pradesh, in 1253 A.D., and passed away in Delhi in 1325 A.D. His father, Ameer Saifuddin Mahmood, migrated to India from the city of Kush, presently Shehr-e-Sabz, in Central Asia. He married the daughter of an […]
Bahadur Shah Zafar, the last of the Mughal Emperors, was born Abdul Muzaffar Muhammad Sirajuddin Bahadur Shah in 1775, the son of Akbar Shah II. He ascended to the throne of Delhi in 1837, inheriting an empire that had lost much of its former glory. Despite his limited authority, confined mostly within the walls of […]
Manipuri is a lyrical dance form originating from the eastern region of India, particularly Manipur. Before the 18th century and the advent of the Vaishnava faith, Manipur was home to various forms of ritual, magical, community, and religious dances. However, the dance known today as Manipuri, especially its Rasa, evolved as a result of the […]
Closely related to Bharat Natyam is the dance style prevalent in Andhra Pradesh, which is sometimes referred to as Kuchipudi, named after the village where it originated, or Bhama Kalapam, which narrates the story of Bhama, a consort of Lord Krishna. In Kuchipudi, there is a thin line of demarcation between the dance-drama traditions of […]
Kathakali, a classical dance drama from Kerala, indeed stands out from the other forms described. Unlike the narrative-focused Bharat Natyam, Orissi, and Kathak, Kathakali is primarily dramatic in nature. In Kathakali, different characters are portrayed by different performers, all of whom were traditionally male, though this has evolved in recent times. Kathakali draws its themes […]
Kathak, a classical dance form from North India, is known for its urban sophistication, virtuosity, and intricate craftsmanship. Although commonly associated with the court traditions of the later Nawabs of Northern India, Kathak is actually an amalgamation of several influences. It incorporates elements from various folk traditions and traditional dance-drama forms, particularly those prevalent in […]
Orissi, also known as Odissi, is closely related to Bharat Natyam and has similarly deep historical roots. It evolved from the musical plays (sangita-nataka) and the dance traditions of gymnasiums called akharas. Evidence of Orissi dance can be traced back to the 2nd century B.C. through various sculptures. From the 12th century onwards, inscriptions, manuscripts, […]
Bharata Natyam, a classical dance form from South India, developed into its current form approximately two hundred years ago. Its poses evoke the sculptural art from the 10th century A.D. onwards, while its thematic and musical content was enriched by the musicians of the Tanjore courts during the 18th and 19th centuries. Primarily a solo […]
